Morning Briefing -- Friday

BENNINGTON -- Come dance at Nataraja, a monthly gathering for the local dance community on the third Friday of each month. The next gathering will be June 20 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at The Yoga Place.

The forming of Nataraja came out of a desire from and for dancers of any shape, size and ability to have a safe and fun place to find their artistic expression. Talking is kept to a minimum. Please bring your water bottle and there will be no alcohol or mind-altering substances. Each person is asked for a $5 donation, with the proceeds to be donated to The Greater Bennington Interfaith Council's Food Pantry or the Homeless Shelter.

Music is eclectic and will vary each month. All dancers welcomed to help create an all-inclusive and tight-knit dance community. Please call 720-298-7910 for more information.

Opening of Hoosick Falls photography exhibit

HOOSICK FALLS, N.Y. -- HAYC3 announces the opening reception for the Hidden Hoosick Community Photography Exhibit. It will take place downstairs at The HAYC3 Armory in 120gallery90, from 6 to 7 p.m. on Friday, June 20.

Artists' designs for the new HF Police Department shoulder patch will be on display as well.

The entire gallery will be filled with photographs of Hoosick and Hoosick Falls, all taken by the people of our community. Come to the gallery and find the one you took and see the images your friends, neighbors and co-workers, and even your kids and their friends took.

FunkintheTrunk concert

HOOSICK FALLS, N.Y. -- HAYC3 will present FunkintheTrunk, the popular Bennington-based band in The Owls Nest at the HAYC3 Armory from 7 to 8 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public.

FunkintheTrunk will be performing favorite R&B, Motown, Soul and Funk tunes from the 1960s, 70s and beyond. Band members include Linda Allard on vocals, John Carson on vocals and guitar, Kiah Morris on vocals and percussion, Nicki Skipper on vocals and keyboards, Adam Turner on drums, Kim Turner on vocals and percussion, and Joe Wiley on bass, and vocals.

It's happening on the same evening as the opening reception for "Hidden Hoosick," the community photography exhibit in 120gallery90.

Business and Professional Women anniversary

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- The Northern Berkshire Business and Professional Women anniversary invites the public to share in the celebration of their 50th Anniversary.

The festivities will be held at Williams Inn, 1090 Main St., beginning with a social hour at 6 p.m. with dinner to follow. To celebrate the past 50 years of historic importance of women in society, Massachusetts and the Berkshires, Colleen Janz, executive director, Susan B. Anthony Birthplace, will present a photo montage. Directly following, the keynote speaker, Ellen Kennedy, president, Berkshire Community College, will address women's strength and the next 50 years.

BENNINGTON -- As a service to the community, the Greater Bennington Peace and Justice Center, a non-profit grass-roots organization, will show the documentary film "Inequality for All" free of charge at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 20 at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House, 108 School St. An unexpected hit at the 2013 Sundance film festival, "Inequality for All" won rave reviews as well as the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Achievement in Filmmaking.

Although the film was shown earlier this year at Mount Anthony High School, the Greater Bennington Peace and Justice Center believes that the film's message that U.S. economic policies have abandoned the middle classes while making the super-rich richer needs to be heard again.

The GBPJC is committed to working to advance peace and justice both locally and globally, and meets at 6:15 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House, 108 School St.

Community food swap

BENNINGTON -- On June 20 The Walloomsac Food and Craft Swap group will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Second Congregational Church, 115 Hillside St. Food swapping is a growing trend among foodies and localvores. This swap begins with a potluck dinner and then the bargaining begins. For more information, call Audrey at 802-733-6981.

Senior Center activities

BENNINGTON -- The Bennington Senior Center will hold sculpture from 9 to 11 a.m., Painting from 9 a.m. until noon, and bingo from 1 to 3 p.m.

'Coping in a Chaotic World' interfaith workshop

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- The June meeting of the Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action Initiative will feature a presentation, "Coping in a Chaotic World," by the Rev. Jennifer Gregg, priest at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Pittsfield. The meeting will be held beginning at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of North Adams. All are welcome. For more information, call Mark at 413-664-0130.

COVE at Equinox

MANCHESTER -- Join the Community of Vermont Elders, the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation and The Savvy Seniors at Equinox Village on Friday, June 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. COVE will present information about how to talk to your legislator and give updates about senior citizen initiatives at the VT State House. The Savvy Seniors will present information about Medicare fraud, error and abuse from 1 to 4 p.m. The Department of Financial Regulation -- Banking, Insurance and Securities Divisions will present information about how to protect oneself from identity theft or financial fraud. Refreshments will be served.

For more information or to make a reservation, contact Equinox Village.

Announcements

Cow Plop fundraiser

MANCHESTER -- Purchase a ticket, or two, for plots of land at the Rotary Club of Manchester's first annual Cow Plop Fundraiser. Elsie the cow will be set loose at noon at the Manchester Rec Park to wander through marked squares of fresh grass to eventually drop a plop for a $1,000 winner. Join the fun at the park on the Fourth or simply purchase a land plot for $25 to participate. Plot owners need not be present to win the $1,000 prize. The Rotary Club of Manchester is an organization of professional men and women who provide scholarships to area youth, support an array of local sports clubs and non-profit organizations, donate dictionaries to local elementary schools, maintain the Shaw's rotary as well as run a renowned international student exchange program. Purchase land plot tickets at the Bank of Bennington, Manchester Branch, at the Cow Plop event prior to noon or by calling 802-379-8292.

Yankees vs. Red Sox Tickets at Grafton Library

GRAFTON, N.Y. -- Tickets are on sale now for the "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" raffle at Grafton Community Library. Purchase tickets for $1 each or six tickets for $5. The drawing will be at the library on Wednesday, August 13. The winner will take home a basket of prizes including two grandstand tickets to the New York Yankees game on Wednesday, September 3 at Yankee Stadium, versus the Boston Red Sox, a $40 value. Game time is 7 p.m. Also in the basket, two Yankee caps, two holographic large tumblers, Yankee Pez dispenser, Yankee travel soup mug, soft toy, The Yogi Book, and 42 The Official Movie Novel. Stop in at the Library located at 2455 NY Route 2 during regular hours to purchase your raffle tickets. The Library is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 3-7 p.m., Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Beginning July 1, the library will be open until 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.

Water quality report available

BENNINGTON -- All Town of Bennington water customers will receive a postcard notification that the Bennington "Water Quality Report 2014" is now available online at benningtonvt.org or at http://bit.ly/1lr30kK. Property owners /landlords are responsible for making the full report available to each tenant of each of their properties. If you do not have access to a computer and would like a copy printed, please stop by the Water Department at the Bennington Town Offices at 205 South St., Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You may also call 802-442-1037 and request a mailed copy.

Summer Civic Engagement Institute at SVC

BENNINGTON -- Southern Vermont College (SVC) is offering a Summer Civic Engagement Institute (SCEI) for rising high school juniors and seniors from July 20 to 25. The five-day, on-campus workshop will be run by the College's Office of Civic Engagement. The program aims to build an understanding of civic engagement, community development and democratic leadership while participating in community service in Bennington.

Workshop topics include discussions on community development, positive social change, social justice, political engagement, diversity and fighting apathy. Students will graduate with a greater depth of understanding of service and will gain perspective and insight into community engagement, all knowledge they can bring back and share at their own high schools.

Students will stay on campus in a residence hall and participate in planned activities, such as trips to the movies, bowling, mini golf and team building.

High school juniors and seniors entering the 2014-2015 academic year are eligible to apply. Applications can be downloaded at www.svc.edu/student/scei.html or requested from SVC's Office of Civic Engagement Coordinator Corie Steinke at 802-447-4667 or csteinke@svc.edu.

Once the application has been approved, a $400 registration fee will be required upon arrival.

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